The full project includes 2 works: first, the documentary on Garchen Rinpoche’s life story and second, a set of dvds containing Garchen Rinpoche teaching on a vast range of subjects around the world.This project will take 5 years, and is scheduled for completion in the end of 2011. At the request of Garchen Rinpoche the film project will be in 3 languages – English, Tibetan and Chinese.

Ultimately, For The BENEFIT OF ALL BEINGS and the archival teaching dvds is more than a film project. It is an opportunity to come face to face with one of the most radiant teachers of our time, and experience his wisdom and blessings. Preserving this legacy of loving-kindness for humanity is a significant way to benefit the world. All the profits from the sales of the dvds will go to the Endowment Fund of the Garchen Buddhist Institute.

The filming of the archival teaching dvds is complete. 75 hours of teachings on these subjects has been amassed: 37 Bodhisattva Practices, Dzogchen, Mahamudra, Dream Yoga, Milarepa, Chod, Bardos, Karma, Bodhicitta, 6 Perfections, Death and Dying, Kuntanzangpo, Guru Yoga, Phowa, Smoke Offering, Fire Puja teachingsHis own teacher, the great Khenpo Munsel, was astonished by Rinpoche's vast achievement. Khenpo Munsel called him "an emanation of a Bodhisattva," a being completely dedicated to the welfare of others. When you look at Rinpoche's life, when you experience his light, you can see he is one such being.

Gardampa Chodengpa was born in 1180 A.D., and he was recognized to have been an incarnation of the acharya Aryadeva Bodhisattva, a disciple of Nagarjuna. At birth he was able to hold a staff, and he chanted the six syllable mantra. His mother was too frightened to tell others of her son's abilities. Later, he practiced Mantrayana at Tsari, Tibet. While residing at a cave of Gar at Dagpo, all the gods and demons of Tibet gathered round him. At first they drew sharp weapons and wounded him, but later took refuge in him, offering the mantras of their lives.

When Gardampa Chodengpa was young, he heard of the glorious accomplishments of the mahasiddha Kyobpa Jigten Sungon. So he decided to make his way to Drikung. He then stayed there and received many teachings and practiced under the guidance of his guru, Kyobpa Jigten Sumgon. Very soon he was able to attain complete realization, and he became one of the three important mahasiddhas -- Gar, Nyo, and Chosum -- of Kyobpa Jigten Sumgon. Gardampa exhibited miraculous powers on many occasions and through his profound teachings initiated numerous sentient beings on the path of Dharma.

Many disciples started gathering around him, but it was too early still, so he scolded them to leave. He founded the monastery of Lung-shod Dar-Chodeng at Drikung. Eventually, so many monks gathered around him, he moved away to found the monastery Phurgon Rinchenling.

Among the succeeding incarnations of Gardampa Chodengpa, Gar Tenpa Gyaltsen became the regent of Their Holinesses the two Drikung Kyabgons (lineage holders). In that capacity he benefited all beings. Another incarnation, Gar Choekyi Nyima, chanted the Chakrasamvara mantra more than 13 billion times and became a mahasiddha. He could perform great miracles, such as curing diseases, preventing wars, eliminating hunger, etc. From the first Gar Tenzin Phuntsok to the present 8th Gar Konchok Nyeton Tenpei Nyima, all the succeeding lamas have been the supreme personal guru of the Nangchen kings.

His Eminence was born in 1936 in Nangchen Kham. The King of Nangchen personally took responsibility for searching for the reincarnation of the 7th Gar Tinley Yonkyab. Rinpoche was recognized and enthroned by His Holiness the late Drikung Kyabgon Shiwei Lodoe. At the age of seven Rinpoche was brought to Lho Miyalgon, where he was offered ceremonial clothes and other items. He pointed to a painting of the Drikung lineage's founder, Jigten Sumgon, and proved his authenticity as the reincarnation by saying, He is my Guru.

In contrast there was Rimpoche for whom 20 years in chinese prison had acted as a fuel to kindle the flames of love and compassion. He was imprisoned for 20 years during the political turmoil of china's cultural revolution. While in the labor camp, he received meditation instruction from his root lama, the Nyingma master Khenpo Munsel. Enduring hardship and practicing secretly, Garchen Rinpoche attained realization of the lama's wisdom mind. From Khenpo Munsel he received Dzogchen teachings and practiced secretly. Khenpo Munsel was astonished at Rinpoche's great achievement and commented of him: "He is an emanation of a Bodhisattva."

In 1957, he was put into prison for labour reform together with many other Rinpoches. During the period of labour reform, there was once a famine. Due to the lack of food, each person was only given a small piece of steamed bread each day. Many people died of starvation. Rinpoche could not bear to witness all this suffering. He gave away all his food to others. He did not eat anything for two or three weeks.

During the 20 years of labour reform, he practised diligently, without lying down at night. He survived two near-death experiences, due to the blessings of the Dharma protectors. Although he had gone through such tormenting experiences, he does not have any hatred. Instead, he often says "I am deeply indebted to the chinese. Without them, without suffering, I would only be a rough person who is full of jealousy and defilements and who does not know how to meditate or practise the Dharma." Rinpoche's compassion and wisdom are truly great.Drubwang Rinpoche has revealed that Garchen Rinpoche's accomplishment in Mahamudra has gone beyond the level of "One-Taste Yoga".

Garchen Rinpoche's teachings are concise and directed at helping us to understand our true nature. Rinpoche is very considerate and humble to all people regardless of position, age or gender. He is extraordinary in this age of degeneration.Garchen Rinpoche is known for his vast realization, as well as for his great kindness.

phantom59 wrote:The full project includes 2 works: first, the documentary on Garchen Rinpoche’s life story and second, a set of dvds containing Garchen Rinpoche teaching on a vast range of subjects around the world.This project will take 5 years, and is scheduled for completion in the end of 2011. At the request of Garchen Rinpoche the film project will be in 3 languages – English, Tibetan and Chinese.

Any idea when the archival teaching DVDs will be made available, now that For the Benefit of All Beings has been released? I, for one, was unaware about the other set, and would love to know more about it... Especially since the Dharma-Media website seems to be defunct.

"The Sutras, Tantras, and Philosophical Scriptures are great in number. However life is short, and intelligence is limited, so it's hard to cover them completely. You may know a lot, but if you don't put it into practice, it's like dying of thirst on the shore of a great lake. Likewise, it happens that a common corpse is found in the bed of a great scholar." ~ Karma Chagme